Frozen (Musical)
Disney’s Frozen the Musical is a Broadway musical based on the 2013 film of the same name. With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and book by Jennifer Lee, the score includes many fan favorite songs such as “Let it Go” and “For the First Time in Forever.” Frozen ran a total of 26 previews and 825 regular performances at the St. James Theatre on Broadway and grossed more than $150M in its two-year run. The show began previews February 22, 2018 and officially opened a month later on March 22, 2018. The musical was put on temporary closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 11, 2020 and it was later announced that it would not open when Broadway returns.
Principal Roles
Anna- originated by Patti Murin on Broadway in 2018, and Caroline Innerbichler in the US tour in 2019.
Elsa- originated by Caissie Levy on Broadway in 2018, and Caroline Bowman in the US tour in 2019.
Olaf- originated by Greg Hildreth on Broadway in 2018, and F. Michael Haynie in the US tour in 2019.
Kristoff- originated by Jelani Alladin on Broadway in 2018, and Mason Reeves in the US tour in 2019.
Hans- originated by John Riddle on Broadway in 2018, and Austin Colby in the US tour in 2019.
Sven- originated by Andrew Pirozzi on Broadway in 2018, and Collin Baja and Evan Strand in the US tour in 2019.
Pre-Broadway Productions
Frozen had a pre-Broadway tryout run at the Buell Theatre in Denver, Colorado, from August 17, 2017- October 1, 2017. The show was directed and choreographed by Grandage and Ashford and starred Caissie Levy and Patti Myron in their original roles as Elsa and Anna.
Broadway
Frozen on Broadway was intended to be a show more geared towards adults, as most shows produced by Disney Theatricals are. However, many members of younger generations are captivated by the stunning visuals and catchy songs. This certainly created much success for this production as most everyone was able to resonate with the themes to some degree. Frozen ran for 825 performances and 26 previews at the St. James Theatre on Broadway, grossing over $150M. It was announced in May 14, 2020 by Disney Theatricals that the show would not return after Broadway’s shutdown due to COVID-19. Although Frozen did not perform as well as Disney Theatricals’ greatest successes such as The Lion King and Aladdin, it attracted attendance of over 1.3 million people and grossed 80-90% of box office potential. It was the performance’s success compared to Disney Theatricals’ largest productions that caused its official shutdown.
Background
Frozen the Musical is based on the high-grossing 2013 Disney movie of the same name. The writers’ goal was to create a more adult perspective on Frozen and create a more mature narrative. This was ultimately successful as it allowed more people to connect to the show, therefore drawing in more audience members.
Awards
Jelani Alladin was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical in 2018 for his work in Frozen.
Michael Curry was nominated for, and won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Puppet Design for Frozen in 2018.
Frozen was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical in 2018.
Jennifer Lee was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical in 2018.
Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez were nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score Written for the Theatre.
Synopsis
Frozen takes the audience on the journey of Anna and Elsa, two royal-born sisters. The story begins by introducing the sisters, Elsa having freezing abilities, and Anna with no powers. Anna and Elsa were close friends until Elsa accidentally injured Anna with her powers. This eventually led to Anna losing all recollection of Elsa’s powers and Elsa being locked away with no contact with Anna for many years. As far as Anna is concerned, Elsa simply shut her out and Anna is unsure why. When it comes to coronation day, Anna and Elsa finally reunite, however things go awry as Anna meets Prince Hans of the Southern Aisles and asks Elsa for permission to marry him. Completely taken off guard and overwhelmed, Elsa cannot control her powers, and leaves the kingdom of Arendelle, inevitably setting off an “eternal winter”. Elsa seeks toward the mountains to build a castle and essentially isolate herself from the storm she has created. Anna goes on a voyage to find Elsa and help her take back the storm. Along the way, Anna meets Olaf, a talking snowman of Elsa’s creation, Kristoff, Anna’s eventual love interest, and Sven, Kristoff’s reindeer. As Anna continues her journey, Elsa grows increasingly isolated and overwhelmed by what she has created. She believes that the way to take back the storm may be ending her own life since it is her fault, however she quickly learns that it is her job to fix what she created and overpower these emotions (Monster). Anna finally finds Elsa in her castle and is struck once more by Elsa’s powers. This leads to a frozen heart which can only be cured by an act of true love. Assuming the only person that can cure her, Anna turns to Hans, but he reveals his true motive to seize the thrown of Arendelle and locks her in a room to freeze. Olaf is able to free Anna from the room and they head to the blizzard to find Kristoff, their (seemingly) last resort. Here they spot Hans about to kill Elsa and Anna freezes while attempting to save Elsa. While Elsa is mourning, she learns she has thawed Anna by performing “an act of true love.” Anna overpowers Hans and she and Kristoff become a couple with Elsa’s full blessing. Anna and Elsa finally reunite, more united and fearless than before and the show ends.